Fast facts
Country Visited
Pakistan
Visas
Yes*
Vaccinations
Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information
Singles
A single supplement is not always possible on this trip. In many instances campsite size is limited and it will be necessary to share with another team member. This also applies to mountaineering expeditions. Single supplement in hotels is available. Please contact Shams Alpine Mountaineering & Trekking Pvt Ltd for specific detail, relevant to your trip.
Entry points
Shimshal can be reached from Islamabad by plane to Gilgit city or else by road along the Karakoram Highway to Hunza. Another way is by road from Tashkurgan, China on the Karakoram Highway through Khunjerab National Park and the Old Silk Route to Passu valley.
Leader
Discover the spectacular hidden Karakoram with English speaking,
world renowned Shimshali mountain guides
Adventure travel
By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you contact us with any concerns. We are happy to answer any questions.
Responsible travel
The environments we travel through are fragile. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimize the impact of our presence.
Passu – Batura –Trek
Trip Duration: 17 days
Season: June – September
Grade: Entry level Trekking and Mountaineering
Activities: Trekking, Climbing and exploring the traditional grazing valleys
Accommodation: 17 days trip, 10 days trek, 08 nights hotel, 09 nights camping
Tour from Gilgit Airport to get to the Trek start at Borit Lake .
On your drive/tour from Gilgit to Karimabad, Hunza and onto Borit Lake (along the KKH and a section of the ancient Silk Road) you will enjoy some of the most outstanding scenery in Northern Pakistan. The Gilgit River and terraces of farmland will be beside you as you drive north. You will stop and enjoy the views of the junction of the Western edge of the Himalayas with the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush mountain ranges. You will stop at the base of Rakaposhi (7,788m) and gaze up the Ghulmet Glacier at the highest unbroken slope on earth 5,838m above you. You will explore beautiful Karimabad with its delicious apricots (in the right season) and the famous Baltit Fort. On the KKH north you will see the ancient roadside sacred rocks at Haldeikish and the drive north through picturesque villages and farmland and along the Hunza river gorges to peaceful Borit Lake where your trek will begin.
About this Trek and Tour
This trek is one of the finest in the Karakoram with beautiful scenery, and no major difficulties. Most of the trek is through ablation valleys along streams, with almost no steep sections. It is one of the finest round trip treks. It starts at Borit Lake and goes through Passugar, Luzhdar to Patundas and along the Passu and Batura glaciers to Summer house. Patundas is the summer grazing pasture for the sheep, goats and yaks of Gulkin Valley. Most of the trek follows the Batura Glacier. It is one of the most attractive mountain and valley areas of Northern Pakistan and provides a fascinating and enjoyable trek and when you reach at Patundas you will find the best view of Passu Peak 7,284m, Batura Peak 7,500m, Shishper 7,619m, Disteghil Sar 7,885, Lupgar sar 7,200m, Korun-1 7,100m, Momhil Sar 7,342 and Rakaposhi 7,788m all around you. The ablation valley pasture at Lupdur (3,870m), is filled with beautiful flowers and is the farthest point most trekkers go. It is reached after four to five days allowing ample time for acclimatization. Views of the six Batura peaks and the huge ice falls from them to the glacier below are among the more remarkable mountain scenes anywhere in the Karakoram. You will spend time with the Passu people and their sheep, goats and yaks in the pastures as you trek. It allows you a glimpse into their unique way of life. You will trek through areas of beautiful wild rose bushes, silver birch, groves of willow and tamarisk and clumps of artemsia and other days along lateral moraine and across glacier gravel and then into the lovely pastures again. All the while the Batura Wall of 7,000+m peaks and Passu Massif look down on you.
Short itinerary
Day 01 Arrival in Islamabad (600m) – Hotel
Day 02 Fly to Gilgit (1,450m) or (drive to Chilas) – Hotel
Day 03 Day free in Gilgit, sightseeing, Karga Buda Rock (second day of the drive to Gilgit) – Hotel
Day 04 Drive to Karimabad, Hunza (2,400m) – Hotel
Day 05 Drive to Borit Lake & Trek to Passu gar – Camp
Day 06 Trek to Yazhdur – Camp
Day 07 Trek to Patundas – Camp
Day 08 Trek Summer House – Camp
Day 09 Trek to Kirgus Washk (3,000m) – Camp
Day 10 Trek to Yashpirth (3,300m) – Camp
Day 11 Trek to Kukhil (3,500m) – Camp
Day 12 Trek to Gucheshusm (3,630m) – Camp
Day 13 Free day and excursion Gucheshusm – Camp
Day 14 Trek back to Yashpirth (3,300m) – Camp
Day 15 Trek to Samar House (2,800m) – Camp
Day 16 Trek to Passu Valley (2,450m) – Hotel
Optional extra: drive to Sost to see Snow Leopard (Caged) and back to Passu
Optional extra days: for resting, exploring Karimabad, shopping, apricots and walnut cakes
Day 17 Drive to Gilgit (2hrs) – Hotel
Day 18 Fly to Islamabad or drive to Chilas – Hotel
Day 19 Day free in Islamabad or second day of drive to Islamabad – Hotel
Day 20 Departure from Islamabad to home – Hotel (optional depending on departure time).
Our Services Include
An experienced English speaking high altitude Guide.
Full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and cooking and eating utensils and mess tent.
Wages for guides, cook and porters.
Acclimatization day in Shimshal Pass.
Good quality accommodation in cities and towns in twin bed shared rooms. Single room supplement is available.
Internal Jeep transport by private vehicle.
Porters will carry your large pack – one waterproof kit bag per client, – weight not to exceed 15kgs.
Excess baggage will incur extra porter wage.
Trekking permits and Khunjerab National Park and Central Karakorum Park Fees.
Safety equipment included and medical kit.
Porters, Guides, Cook and other staffs insurance.
Invitation letter for travel to Pakistan to assist your visa application.
Our Service does not include
Bottled water, aerated drinks, alcohol, laundry and other items of personal nature
Meals except where indicated in the itinerary
Personal snacks, energy bars, energy gels, sweets
Personal gear, sleeping bags, ice axe, crampons, and harness
Personal phone calls and laundry
Tips
International airfares, Travel Insurance, Airport and departure taxes.
Single supplement
Guides and porters
Our local guides and porters are all experienced, handpicked and trained by Shaheen Baig and Qudrat Ali (directors of Shams Alpine) to ensure that our clients have the best opportunity for success with comfort. A porter will carry your kit bag and you will be expected to carry your own day pack which should be large enough to carry all you will need throughout the day e.g. sunscreen, raincoat, water bottle, camera, spare long sleeved clothing, snow protection glasses, sun protection gloves, hat and scarves, snack food, etc.